Bowstring nocking point and method of applying same to bowstring



Sept. 12,1967 C(A. SAUNDERS 3,340,862

BOWSTRING NOCKING POINT AND METHOD OF APPLYING SAME TO BOWSTRING Filed Feb. 4, 1965 7 I/VVENTOR.

CHARLES A. SAUNDERS W M Q 7f? Bif United States Patent l 3,340,862 BOWSTRING NOCKING POINT AND METHOD OF APPLYING SAME TO BOWSTRING Charles A. Saunders, Box 102, Columbus, Nebr. 68601 Filed Feb. 4, 1965, Ser. No. 430,300 3 Claims. (Cl. 12430) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A nocking point for attachment to an archery bowstring and comprising a deformable split ring of generally C-shaped configuration and constituting coextensive overlying structural layers including an inner resilient rnemher and a contiguous overlying metallic sleeve the resilient member and the metallic sleeve being bonded to one another at the interface therebetween.

This invention relates to an attachment for archery bowstrings. More particularly, the invention is directed to an improved nocking point, and to the method of attaching the point to a bowstring.

In order to insure rapid, accurate, and precise positioning of each arrow at the same point along the bowstring, archers utilize what is known as nocking points or reference means or structures on the string of the bow. Many different types of nocking points have been improvised and several types of commercial structures have become available. In spite of the well-recognized need, and not withstanding extensive research and experimentation in the relevant art, no completely satisfactory nocking point has heretofore been produced. Each prior art physical embodiment has one or more undesirable or objectionable feature. Some archers have knotted the bowstrings to provide a marker, Such a practice is objectionable, first, in that it is difficult to locate the knot in exactly the right place, and secondly, knotting tends to weaken and to distort the bowstring. Moreover, it is diflicult to untie the knot to change its position when required. Elongated tubular members, slotted along their length, have been attached to bowstrings to define a mock receiving area therebetween. Such elongated tubular sleeves are objectionable in that they affect the flexure of the string and in that they cannot be relied upon to maintain a fixed position on the string. In still another form of nocking point, resilient beads of rubber or the like and having a through bore are threaded onto the bowstring and slid to the selected position. These beads have the important disadvantage that they must be placed on the bowstring before the ends of the bowstrings are modified as in the fabrication of attachment loops or retaining knots. Moreover the beads tend to move or migrate from the preselected position. In still another procedure, plastic material has been applied to and molded permanently around and to the bowstring at spaced points to define'an arrow nock receiving area therebetween. Such a procedure requires the application of heat to polymerize or mold the plastic material. The heat affects the string adversely. Moreover, the resulting bond may be of such a permanent nature as to render removal and repositioning of the nocking point unfeasible. It is well known that nocking points may require repositioning from time to time. While nocking points may be fashioned by wrapping tape or string around the bowstring to form a raised bead, such expedients are merely temporary in nature since the tape or string is subject to unraveling and to fraying, and improvised nocks of this type tend to slide or slip making frequent replacement necessary. It is the aim of the present invention to provide a nocking point which avoids the above described objectionable features and disadvantages.

3,340,862 Patented Sept. 12, 1967 It is a principal object of the invention to Provide a simple yet highly effective nocking point which may be firmly yet removably positioned on a bowstring and which does not in any way distort the bowstring or interfere with the proper release of an arrow.

It is another object of the invention to provide a nocking point which is easily and quickly installed and accurately located.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a nocking point in which the resilience and elasticity of an inner compressible or elastomeric sleeve is combined with the rigidity and permanence of an enveloping metallic band.

Other and further objects and advantages will become apparent from :a reading of the following specification taken in conjunction with the drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a strung bow on the bowstring of which are mounted the nocking points of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the nocking points shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the nocking point of the invention;

FIGURE 5 is a horizontal sectional view of the nocking point of the invention;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view illustrating the manner of positioning of an arrow neck on the bowstring between two nocking points; and

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the use of a single nocking point.

The aims and objects of the invention are accomplished by providing in a nocking point construction a split ring having an internal sleeve of a compressible material such as rubber, plastic, and the like bonded to an enveloping band of metal such as aluminum, aluminum alloys, magnesium alloys, and the like. The nocking point is applied to the bowstring by inserting the string through the slit or slot and then crimping or clamping the nocking point in place using a pliers or any other suitable means.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and especially to FIGURES 3, 4 and 5, for purposes of disclosure, a preferred embodiment of the nocking point of the invention is shown as comprising a split ring 11 having a lateral opening 13 through which the bowstring 17 of the bow 21 is inserted preparatory to attaching the nocking point onto the bowstring 17. As clearly shown in FIGURES 4 and 5, the ring 11 is formed of an inner sleeve 25 of a rubber like compressible material, the inner sleeve being bonded to a surrounding metallic band 29 which is preferably of a light weight metal such as aluminum. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the metal is anodized, plated, coated or otherwise treated to increase its resistance to corrosion.

As indicated above, the open loop or split ring 11 is readily applied to or fastened onto the bowstring 17 through the use of a crimping device such as a pliers or the like. Two nocking points may be attached to the bowstring at spaced positions to define an arrow nock positioning area therebetween, 'as illustrated in FIGURE 6. If preferred, a single nocking point may be used, in which case the notch 31 of the arrow 35 is positioned on the string at a point adjacent the nocking point, as shown in FIGURE 7.

In the light of the present disclosure, many suitable methods for fabricating the nocking point of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art.

In a preferred manufacturing procedure the nocking points of the invention are fabricated by rolling a flattened wire, preferably anodized, onto a supporting drum so that only a single principal surface of the wire'is exposed. A resilient composition, which may be a plastisol or the like, is applied to the wire as a coating. The drum is then introduced into an oven in which the coating material is cured. If preferred, self curing compositions may be used and the oven step omitted. The wire, to which the coating is firmly bonded, is stripped from the drum and cut into segments of the preferred length, ordinarily between about one half inch and about three fourths inch long. Finally, each of the segments is shaped or formed to define a generally C-shaped loop, an opening being left through which the bowstring is inserted. The resilient or plastic layer forms an internal sleeve about which the metallic member is disposed as a band.

In another manufacturing procedure the nocking points are fabricated from fiat stock in sheet form, preferably of aluminum sheeting of about twenty gauge thickness to which has been bonded or otherwise permanently affixed a sheet or coating layer of a resilient material. The composite sheets are cut into narrow strips about /2 to about A of an inch in width and these elongated strips are then shaped and cut to provide the final structure illustrated in FIGURE 5. In a preferred procedure, in order to provide a superior product, the metallic band is gold anodized rendering the nocking point corrosion resistant and insuring that the point will not be adversely affected by ambient atmospheric conditions during use. Neither the thickness of the resilient internal sleeve nor the thickness of the enveloping metallic band is critical, it being necessary only that the final nocking point in its functional position on the bowstring have a radial dimension adequate to provide a stop or guide against which the nock portion of the arrow may be located.

While the nocking point of the invention, when fabricated and applied as described above, provides a substantially permanent nocking point which will not slip or slide on the bowstring, should repositioning or relocation of the nocking point be required, this can be accomplished simply through the use of conventional tools and without damage to the supporting bowstring.

It is apparent that a novel and highly efiicient means and method have been provided for securely anchoring an improved nocking point on a bowstring. In addition, the nocking point of the invention is simple and compact in construction and can be readily fabricated in economical commercial procedures for simple and easy installation, using economical manufacturing methods and techniques.

While disclosures of preferred embodiments of the invention and preferred methods for fabricating the structural element of the invention has been provided, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications, changes, and variations can be made without departing from the essential spirit of the underlying principles of the invention. It is, therefore, desired by the following claims to include in the scope of the invention all such variations and modifications by which substantially the results of this invention may be obtained through the use of substantially the same or equivalent means.

What is claimed is:

1. .A positively positionable necking point adapted for attachment to a bowstring by compressive application thereto and comprising a unitary, composite split ring having a transverse opening through which said bowstring is received to facilitate positioning of said nocking point on said bowstring, said ring consisting essentially of an inner sleeve of a resilient rubber-like pressure-responsive material and an outer metallic band continuous with said inner sleeve and extending therearound, and means bonding contiguous surfaces of 'said inner sleeve and said outer metallic band to one another to provide an integral composite structure, said split ring adapted for disposition annularly about said bowstring at a selectable position along the length thereof for crimping on said bowstring to locate an arrow nock positioning point.

2. In an archers bow having a bowstring the combination with said bowstring of a pair of spaced substantially identical nocking points clamped annularly on said bowstring at spaced positions along the length thereof to define an arrow nock receiving area between said points, each said nocking points comprising a split annular ring consisting essentially of a compressible inner sleeve, a metallic band extending therearound, and means bonding contacting surfaces of said inner sleeve and said metallic band to one another to provide a unitary composite structure.

3. The method of applying a nocking point to a bowstring of an archers bow comprising the steps of fabricating a composite unitary split ring consisting essentially of coextensive concentric inner and outer bands bonded to each other at contacting surfaces, said inner band being of a resilient, pressure-responsive composition and said outer band being formed of deformable metal, placing said split ring annularly about said bowstring adjacent a position defining an arrow nock receiving area, and crimping said ring onto said string to attach said ring firmly to said bowstring to constitute said ring and arrow nock locating means on said bowstring.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,643,110 9/1927 Briggs 24-423 2,777,437 1/1957 Allen 124-30 3,258,000 6/1966 Kolpacki 12430 RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner.

ANTON O. OECHSLE, Examiner.

W. R. BROWNE, Assistant Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,340,862 September 12, 1967 Charles A. Saunders ror appears in the above numbered pat- It is hereby certified that er the said Letters Patent should read as ent requiring correction and that corrected below.

Column 4 line 42 for "and" read an Signed and sealed this 15th day of October 1968.

(SEAL) AtteSt:

EDWARD J. BRENNER Edward M. Fletcher, Jr.

Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer 

2. IN AN ARCHER''S BOW HAVING A BOWSTRING THE COMBINATION WITH SAID BOWSTRING OF A PAIR OF SPACED SUBSTANTIALLY INDENTICAL NOCKING POINTS CLAMPED ANNULARLY ON SAID BOWSTRING AT SPACED POSITIONS ALONG THE LENGTH THEREOF TO DEFINE AN ARROW NOCK RECEIVING AREA BETWEEN SAID POINTS, EACH SAID NOCKING POINTS COMPRISING A SPLIT ANNULAR RING CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF A COMPRESSIBLE INNER 